Assessment of TANK-binding kinase 1 as a therapeutic target in cancer

Abstract

TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is central to multiple biological processes that promote tumorigenesis including cell division, autophagy, innate immune response and AKT-pro survival signaling. TBK1 is well studied and most known for its function in innate immunity. However, the serine threonine protein kinase received significant attention as a synthetic lethal partner and effector of the major oncogene, RAS. This review summarizes newly identified cancer promoting functions of TBK1 and evaluates the therapeutic potential of targeting TBK1 in cancer.